The "Interim Meals Service" ceased and so did SHAC's volunteering at the meals services

July 2016:

FCC/State Govt Interim meals program begins - using funds provided by the Victorian State Dept of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and hall hire by Frankston City Council (FCC), SHAC commenced providing Meals on Wheels meals to 70-90 different people “doing it tough” on a weekly basis - http://www.seafordcc.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=272

SHAC's volunteer support of the State Govt-funded and FCC-assisted "Interim Meals Service" ceased on 28 June 2017 due to State Govt funding cuts (these were established and funded for 12 months following City Life's closure)

(Personally, I will remember those sessions with great respect and affection - they turned into quite the party atmosphere by the time we all got to know each other. There are many moments that will live with me forever. Thank you to everyone who was involved.)

Removed: the following meals services closed in June 2017:• SHAC’s Wednesday evening hot meals service at Leawarra House (financed by the State Govt), and• Community Support Frankston’s Tuesday and Thursday sandwich lunches

If you would like to get involved, please contact any of the volunteer providers.

We try to keep this list up-to-date - for additions/updates/errors, please send an email to SHAC3198@gmail.com - thank you.

THANK YOU to all volunteers and sponsors!

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Status report as at 1 September 2017:

News article:- SHAC vows to set up meals service to support Frankston’s vulnerable- Our only option at the moment appears to be of the self-help variety, which is being investigated- In the article, Frankston Labor MP Paul Edbrooke is quoted as saying:

The ONLY meals available in and around Frankston for the foreseeable future are covered in the above "Community Meals list"

It is important to note that many of the current meals sessions offer little opportunity for social interaction

SHAC's volunteer support of the State Govt-funded and FCC-assisted "Interim Meals Service" ceased on 28 June 2017 due to State Govt funding cuts (these were established and funded for 12 months following City Life's closure)

Following the closure of the "SHAC service" on 28 June, SHAC tried to establish a self-help meals service provided by diners themselves, but this has stalled - we remain hopeful

FCC Meeting 14 August 2017 (OM305) Motion 12.14 "Response to Joint Letter" (560 signature Petition) - provision of Meals Services:- FCC resigned themselves to these facts, with no mention of the as-yet still unpublished DHHS Report covering "transitioning diners to existing services"- essentially, FCC accepted the DHHS withdrawal of the "Interim Meals Service"- say that the current services provided by volunteers were better than putting all eggs in one basketRisk MitigationA meals and social inclusion service that relies on a single provider is a risk if the provider withdraws. Although there were two providers (City Life and the Frankston Churches Community Breakfast) they operated from the one premise. When the premise was redeveloped and no alternate suitable accommodation found, both services had to close. This risk is mitigated in the current service where 5 different charities are distributing meals at various times.ConclusionThe Frankston community is socio-economically diverse with an enduring legacy of volunteers actively engaged in programs that assist less fortunate residents. As meals services transition new volunteers have come forward to offer support; the newest being Sikh Volunteers Australia.

2. Due to State Govt funding cuts, the following meals services have CLOSED (removed from list) - they were the "Interim Meals Service" following City Life's closure:

SHAC’s Wednesday evening hot meals service at Leawarra House, and

Community Support Frankston’s Tuesday and Thursday sandwich lunches

Background:

14 August 2017 (OM305) Motion 12.14 "Response to Joint Letter" (560 signature Petition) - provision of Meals Services: essentially, FCC accepted the DHHS withdrawal of the "Interim Meals Service", saying that the current services provided by volunteers were better than putting all eggs in one basket

28 June 2017: The "Interim Meals Service" ceased and so did SHAC's volunteering at the meals services

March 2017: SHAC was advised that funding would be withdrawn at the end of June 2017

February 2017: Wintringham option - $350,000 of State Govt funding was given to Wintringham with the expectation that they would provide meals and social interaction opportunities by continuing the “Interim Meals Service” for Frankston people. This has not turned out to be the case. Their facilities are only for use by their own clients/residents. This includes the purpose-built freezer room - http://www.seafordcc.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=290

July 2016: State MPs Sonya Kilkenny (Carrum) & Paul Edbrooke (Frankston) persuaded DHHS to provide funds for meals so that SHAC (and other) volunteers could help a smallish group of people doing it tough

July 2016: FCC/State Govt Interim meals program begins - using funds provided by the Victorian State Dept of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and hall hire by Frankston City Council (FCC), SHAC commenced providing Meals on Wheels meals to 70-90 different people “doing it tough” on a weekly basis - http://www.seafordcc.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=272

Due to State Govt funding cuts, the following meals services will close from 30 June:

SHAC’s Wednesday evening hot meals service at Leawarra House, and

Community Support Frankston’s Tuesday and Thursday sandwich lunches

The closure of these sessions is very disappointing and stressful for all concerned.We had hoped that compassion and logic would see the funding continue.

We have been provided with a list of the services that people doing it tough can be “transitioned to”:

Quote from DHHS letter outlining their stated aim – March 2017:“The Department of Health and Human Services is committed to working with your organisation (FCC) in progressing the transition project to facilitate better, more sustainable outcomes for people who are accessing the current meals services.”Outcome: Withdrawal of funding and reduced services.

Their incomplete list contains no new services – and none of these is funded by government.

Although the cancelled sessions were only ever meant to be an interim solution until Wintringham could fill the gap or City Life was able to resume, it has become increasingly evident that an ongoing service of this nature is essential – and not only in Frankston.

Over the 12 months that these weekly sessions have been hosted by SHAC, approximately 70-90 different people have attended, of whom 9 or 10 were homeless and/or living in cars.